Road & Rail Wrap: DriveAway’s new call centre, Amtrak Vacations sale + MORE!
Yes, it’s our weekly dose of news covering all things on the railway tracks and on the road. We’ve even gone off-road for this wrap!
DriveAway opens second call centre
Self-drive specialist DriveAway recently opened an additional office to adhere to business growth and to better service its travel agent partners.
Led by reservations manager Deborah Stark, the new Gold Coast office has been in operation since October 2019 and serves as an enquiries hub, currently with 11 reservations sales agents, and is soon to acquire a team of approximately 20 to 25 staff members by the end of June 2020.
Amtrak Vacations launches ‘Upgrade and Save Sale’
Amtrak Vacations, Amtrak’s national tour operator and the leading supplier of rail vacations in North America, has announced its Upgrade and Save Sale.
For a limited time, when couples upgrade to a private bedroom on the train, they will save $300, and when they upgrade to a private roomette accommodation, they will save $200.
This special offer is valid for booking through to Friday 28 February. For more information on the sale, visit the Amtrak Vacations website.
International Transfer bookings jump 81 per cent
International Rail has revealed that retail bookings for its global booking system, International Transfer, rose a massive 81 per cent in 2019, which was equivalent to over 8,500 bookings on its partner booking platform, Mozio.
International Transfer’s global successful pick-up rate for 2019 was 98.5 per cent, with the highest successful pick-up rates being for its business-class private vehicle category, and the lowest for economy-type vehicles such as mini cabs.
The international airports of Rome, London and Paris came in as the three most popular for airport transfers for the booking system, with the most successful pick-up rates for those transfers that included a meet-and-greet service.
Ola introduces new safety feature
Ridesharing platform Ola has unveiled a new safety feature, Start Code, to ensure users never get in the wrong car.
Once a user has booked their ride, a four-digit code will appear above their ride details. All they need to do is share this code with their driver to start their ride.
Grand American Adventures offers 25 per cent discount
North American small-group specialist Grand American Adventures (GAA) is offering 25 per cent off departures (excluding third-party trips) through to 30 September 2020.
Whether your clients are looking to explore the national parks of the western states, the Rocky Mountains of Canada, the big cities of the east or the incredible music in the south, GAA offers more than 50 itineraries across the US and Canada.
The offer is available until 3 March 2020. GAA brochures are available to order at TIFS, or agents can call its Melbourne-based team for more details on 1300 030 714.
World Expeditions offers savings of up to $400 per person
Adventure travel specialist World Expeditions is offering savings of up to $400 on a range of its international trekking adventures.
Book a 100 per cent carbon offset adventure before 14 March and help your clients take advantage of the Mountain Lovers’ Sale. Visit the World Expeditions website or call 1300 720 000 for more info.
Mary Moody to accompany UTracks’ food-lovers experience in France
UTracks has announced that Aussie author Mary Moody will be accompanying its ‘Food Lovers Way of St James’ guided walk in France, departing in May and September 2020.
Each departure is restricted in number to ensure an immersive experience. Interested travellers should act quickly, as the May 2020 departure is almost full. The 12-day guided walk is priced from $6,790 per person (twin share).
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